Endotracheal tube manipulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the neonatal intensive care unit

Objectives We sought to describe the approach to and impact of endotracheal tube (ETT) placement for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) occurring in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Study design A retrospective review of in-NICU CPR from 2012 to 2017 across ten NICUs in San Antonio, Texas. Results Of 209 CPR events, 22 (10.5%) patients required ETT placement at CPR onset, 23 (11%) had an existing ETT removed and replaced, and 8 (3.4%) both. We found no association between time without an ETT tube during CPR and time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or rate of ROSC. We found no documented use of a laryngeal mask airway during in-NICU CPR. Conclusions For CPR occurring in the NICU, the achievement of ROSC or time to ROSC is not impacted by the need to place an initial AA at the onset of CPR in this contemporary cohort.